MHB Find the area of an equilateral triangle

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around demonstrating that the curve defined by the equation x^3 + 3xy + y^3 = 1 contains only one set of three distinct points that form the vertices of an equilateral triangle. Participants express appreciation for each other's contributions, with one member acknowledging a mix-up in posting responses. The conversation highlights the collaborative nature of solving mathematical challenges while addressing minor errors in forum etiquette. The area of the equilateral triangle formed by these points is also a key focus of the discussion. Overall, the thread emphasizes problem-solving and community engagement in mathematics.
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Show that the curve $x^3+3xy+y^3=1$ has only one set of three distinct points, $P$, $Q$, and $R$ which are the vertices of an equilateral triangle, and find its area.
 
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Here is my solution:

The first thing I notice is that there is cyclic symmetry between $x$ and $y$, and so setting $y=x$, we find:

$$2x^3+3x^2-1=(x+1)^2(2x-1)=0$$

Thus, we know the points:

$$(x,y)=(-1,-1),\,\left(\frac{1}{2},\frac{1}{2} \right)$$

are on the given curve. Next, if we begin with the line:

$$y=1-x$$

and cube both sides, we obtain:

$$y^3=1-3x+3x^2-x^3$$

We may arrange this as:

$$x^3+3x(1-x)+y^3=1$$

Since $y=1-x$, we may now write

$$x^3+3xy+y^3=1$$

And since the point $$\left(\frac{1}{2},\frac{1}{2} \right)$$ is on the line $y=1-x$, we know the locus of the given curve is the line $y=1-x$ and the point $(-1,-1)$. Hence, there can only be one set of points on the given curve that are the vertices of any triangle, equilateral or otherwise.

Using the formula for the distance between a point and a line, we find the altitude of the equilateral triangle will be:

$$h=\frac{|(-1)(-1)+1-(-1)|}{\sqrt{(-1)^2+1}}=\frac{3}{\sqrt{2}}$$

Using the Pythagorean theorem, we find that the side lengths of the triangle must be:

$$s=\frac{2}{\sqrt{3}}h=\sqrt{6}$$

And so the area of the triangle is:

$$A=\frac{1}{2}sh=\frac{1}{2}\sqrt{6}\frac{3}{\sqrt{2}}=\frac{3\sqrt{3}}{2}$$
 
Last edited:
MarkFL said:
Here is my solution:

The first thing I notice is that there is cyclic symmetry between $x$ and $y$, and so setting $y=x$, we find:

$$2x^3+3x^2-1=(x+1)^2(2x-1)=0$$

Thus, we know the points:

$$(x,y)=(-1,-1),\,\left(\frac{1}{2},\frac{1}{2} \right)$$

are on the given curve. Next, if we begin with the line:

$$y=1-x$$

and cube both sides, we obtain:

$$y^3=1-3x+3x^2-x^3$$

We may arrange this as:

$$x^3+3x(1-x)+y^3=1$$

Since $y=1-x$, we may now write

$$x^3+3xy+y^3=1$$

And since the point $$\left(\frac{1}{2},\frac{1}{2} \right)$$ is on the line $y=1-x$, we know the locus of the given curve is the line $y=1-x$ and the point $(-1,-1)$. Hence, there can only be one set of points on the given curve that are the vertices of any triangle, equilateral or otherwise.

Using the formula for the distance between a point and a line, we find the altitude of the equilateral triangle will be:

$$h=\frac{|(-1)(-1)+1-(-1)|}{\sqrt{(-1)^2+1}}=\frac{3}{\sqrt{2}}$$

Using the Pythagorean theorem, we find that the side lengths of the triangle must be:

$$s=\frac{2}{\sqrt{3}}h=\sqrt{6}$$

And so the area of the triangle is:

$$A=\frac{1}{2}sh=\frac{1}{2}\sqrt{6}\frac{3}{\sqrt{2}}=\frac{3\sqrt{3}}{2}$$
Awesome, MarkFL, awesome!(Sun) This is your second time answered to my challenge problem and thank you for participating!:o
 
Why both of you posted the same solution? :confused:
 
Pranav said:
Why both of you posted the same solution? :confused:

I am so so sorry for causing the confusion. I was meant to reply to MarkFL by quoting his solution, and then typed beneath it and I accidentally clicked on the "Edit" button(I could edit it since I'm the moderator in the "Challenge Questions and Puzzles" subforum), and when I realized I bungled that I immediately rectified the situation by posting my reply and again, I made another mistake, those solution should be put under quote tag but I didn't. :o Sorry again.
 
I fixed it. (Hug)
 
MarkFL said:
I fixed it. (Hug)

Thanks, Mark...you are forever my sweetest admin!:o
 

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